The West facade of Blockhouse Mont des Fourches with horizontal niches – Jausiers, Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage, France
The blockhouse of Mont des Fourches is situated at the Southern end of the Col des Fourches, only a small hike from the Camp des Fourches military barracks and the Col-des-Fourches outpost. From this position the blockhouse has an excellent view over the surrounding area.
The Blockhouse of Mont des Fourches on the Col des Fourches overlooking the area – Jausiers, Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage, FranceA view of the North facade of the Mont des Fourches blockhouse – Jausiers, Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage, France
The terraced roof provided an ideal shooting platform for the infantrymen, which could be accessed by the square tower located in the southeast corner of the blockhouse. This tower also provided a flanking fire position on both the East and the South sides of the blockhouse.
The blockhouse seen from the Southwestern side which gives a good view of the former flanking tower – Jausiers, Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage, France
The South facade and part of the Northwest corner had two levels of vertical shooting slots. The west facade had two superimposed levels of horizontal niches.
The South entrance of Blockhouse Mont des Fourches with the vertical firing slots – Jausiers, Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage, France
The steel sheet watchtower served as an optical telegraphy station to communicate with the other blockhouses of Las Planas and the Pelousette position.
The steel sheet signalling tower of Blockhouse Mont des Fourches – Jausiers, Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage, FranceBlockhouse of Mont des Fourches on the right with Camp des Fourches in the background left – Jausiers, Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage, FranceThe view from Blockhouse of Mont des Fourches towards Camp des Fourches – Jausiers, Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage, France
Interior
The blockhouse had a large dormitory with bunk beds that could accommodate around 50 men, a kitchen and an officers room. The terraced roof was accessed by steps of metal bars fixed against the wall of the square tower located in the southeast corner of the blockhouse, next to the officer’s room.
Inside the kitchen of Blockhaus des Fourches – Jausiers, Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage, FranceThe dormitory of Blockhouse Mont des Fourches. Typically there would have been two rows of bunk beds on both sides of the wooden pillars. – Jausiers, Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage, FranceThe wall of the Western facade with horizontal niches seen from the inside of Blockhouse Mont des Fourches – Jausiers, Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage, FranceLooking through the horizontal niche of the West facade of Blockhouse Mont des Fourches – Jausiers, Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage, FranceA Manhole to a cellar or water reservoir of Blockhouse Mont des Fourches – Jausiers, Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage, FranceEntrance towards the officers room and the southeast tower – Jausiers, Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage, FranceThe stairs up to the terrace of Blockhouse Mont des Fourches – Jausiers, Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage, FranceOfficers room of Blockhouse Mont des Fourches – Jausiers, Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage, France
Construction
The blockhouse was originally built in 1889 as part of the Séré de Rivières system which was a French fortification system built after the Franco-Prussian War to reorganize the defence of the French borders and coasts. Between 1903 and 1905 the blockhouse was redesigned into it’s current form as part of the Maginot’s Alpine Line.
An illustration of the Blockhouse of Mont des Fourches around 1903 printed on a sign at Camp des Fourches.
WW2 Battles of the Alps
Although the blockhouse was part of the front-line during the First- and Second Battle of the Alps, it was never directly targeted during the fighting in 1940 or 1944.
The Blockhouse Today
The Blockhouse of Mont des Fourches was abandoned after the war and shows heavy signs of decay. The crenellated walls that surrounded the roof terrace have largely disappeared. Part of it is still standing on the East side.
View of the remains of the surrounding wall of the terraced roof of Blockhouse Mont des Fourches – Jausiers, Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage, FranceRemains of the chimney of Blockhouse Mont des Fourches – Jausiers, Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage, France
Visit
You can visit the Blockhouse of Mont des Fourches or in French Le Blockhaus des Fourches along the Route de Nice. Park your car at the Camp des Fourches military barrack’s parking area and proceed towards the Col des Fourches on foot following the narrow footpath along the Col.
